City grab semifinal spot with dominant victory

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 27 July 2024

Picture: Phototek

DUNEDIN, New Zealand – Auckland City FC secured their place in the Chatham Cup semifinals with an impressive 5-1 win over Otago University AFC at Dunedin’s Artificial Turf on Saturday night.

The match was marked by dramatic moments and standout performances, including a hat-trick by Navy Blues striker Angus Kilkolly.

Key Moments

First Team Debut: Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Areya Prasad, from St. Peter’s College, made his first start for the Navy Blues’ First Team.

Delayed Kickoff: The game got off to a dramatic start when the floodlights went out less than a minute after kickoff, causing a 45-minute delay.

Injury Substitution: In the 21st minute, Auckland City was forced into a substitution due to an injury. Rayan Tayeb replaced the injured defender Christian Gray.

Opening Goals: Kailan Gould set up Angus Kilkolly, who clinically finished from inside the box in the 34th minute. Six minutes later, Derek Tieku doubled the visitors’ advantage.

University’s Response: Just before halftime, Liam Buyck’s great strike beat Prasad at his near post, pulling one back for University.

Kilkolly’s Brace: Kilkolly extended Auckland City’s lead with another clinical finish six minutes into the second half. He narrowly missed completing his hat-trick, denied by a fantastic save from Otago keeper Oscar Ekhdahl.

Late Drama: Substitute Alex Dale came close to narrowing the gap, but his chip went wide in the 75th minute. In the 83rd minute, Ryan de Vries delivered a great header to Kilkolly, who unfortunately blasted over the crossbar from inside the box. Kilkolly redeemed himself almost immediately, sealing his hat-trick with a cool finish. Moments later, the City striker made way for another First Team debutant, Matthew Matanyayire.

Own Goal: Tong Zhou’s corner caused late drama as it ended up in the back of the net, credited as an own goal by Milo McBride.

Elsewhere Wellington Olympic defeated Manurewa 4-0, while Coastal Spirit from Christchurch overcame Hibiscus Coast in a dramatic penalty shootout a result of an arm-wrestle that failed to separate the two sides with their match ending in 3-3 after extra time.

The quarterfinal between Napier City and Birkenhead United is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday 28 July.

Ends

MATCH DETAILS

CHATHAM CUP QF
Saturday, 27 July 2024
Otago University AFC 1 (Liam BUYCK 45+2
Auckland City FC: 5 (Angus KILKOLLY 34’, 50’, 86’ Derek TIEKU 40’, 89, Milo McBRIDE OG 89')

HT: 1-2

AC: 18. Areya PRASAD (GK), 4. Christian GRAY, (26. Rayan TAYEB 21’), 6. Kailan GOULD,(27. Stipe UKICH, 77’), 9. Angus KILKOLLY, (14. Matthew MATANYAYIRE 89’), 13. Nathan LOBO, 16. Joe LEE, 20. Derek TIEKU, (11. Ryan DE VRIES 77’), 21. Adam BELL, 22. Tong ZHOU, 23. Alfie ROGERS (C), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER

SUBS NOT USED: 8. Gerard GARRIGA

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
LOGISTICS: Keith COTTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE